A Highly Affordable, MIDI-Capable Drum Pad Controller

Korg's padKontrol USB Drum Pad Controller is an entry-level MIDI drum machine designed for use in studio environments. It offers 16 LED illuminated, velocity-sensitive sample pads and comes preloaded with 30 Scenes (sample banks) so you can start sequencing beats as soon as you take your padKontrol out of its box. It also includes 16 user-assignable sample banks, so you can load it up with your own favorite sample sets -- and Mac- and PC-based library/editor software is provided, so you can do so with ease.

16 Drum Pads, X/Y Touchpad, and 2 Control Knobs

Sample parameters can be manipulated on-the-fly using two large assignable control knobs or by using the Kaoss-style X/Y touchpad. There's also controls for triggering flams and rolls or holding a sample indefinitely -- giving you hardware access to diverse beat-making possibilities.

Sounds to Kontrol

The padKontrol is more than just a drum machine -- use it to trigger drums, soft synths, samples, sound effects, or even video clips. And with 480 samples to choose from out of the box, plus room to add 64 of your own samples, the padKontrol is all you need to start creating your own beats. MIDI capable and extremely affordable for what it offers, padKontrol is a perfect addition to any professional or home recording studio.

If you have additional warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer at 631-390-6800

Korg PadKontrol USB Drum Pad Controller

The Korg padKONTROL has proven to be one of most innovative and popular controllers ever. Now available in a sleek black package, the padKONTROL offers solid, responsive pads to inspire confidence when performing, while the unique X-Y touchpad allows many levels of expression. With vibrant pad lighting added for good measure, the padKONTROL continues Korg's long legacy of crafting some of the most innovative controllers out there.

Beat It

The padKONTROL is ideal for creating natural, organic sounding drumbeats. Each of the 16 pads can be individually assigned a note number and MIDI channel so you can control a single drumkit or map it to control different devices in your setup at the same time. Eight different dynamic curves are available for each pad, or you can set each pad to its own fixed level. This allows you to set up certain instruments to feel as you like, and others to always play the perfect velocity, no matter how you strike the pad. You can also set up multiple pads to play the same drum but at different fixed velocities, giving you varied but predictable performance every time.

Comfortable and Responsive Pads

No matter how you set them up, you'll appreciate the great feel of the pads. They respond well no matter where you strike them, not just in the center like many other systems. So you can freely play the pads with both hands, hit the edges or the center and get responsive, musical results -- every time. The X-Y pad adds real-time control of both flam and roll timing and dynamics. Moving from left to right increases the speed of the roll, or the distance between the 'flammed' notes. Moving up increase the volume of the roll, or the second note in the flam. This is a highly expressive and intuitive way to produce these natural drum techniques. With an optional footswitch, you can even add real 'kick' drum parts, or close a open hi-hat.

Tons of Different Functions

In addition to accessing drum sounds and samples, the padKONTROL can also control soft synths and effects, trigger loops and video clips, and even act as transport controls for DAW software programs. Combining an assignable X-Y touchpad that also provides for natural-sounding flams and rolls, 16 great-feeling illuminated trigger pads, assignable knobs and a footpedal input, the padKONTROL provides unsurpassed evocative control. A MIDI message can be assigned to each pad, and they can be set for momentary or toggle operation. In addition to sending a value as the pad is touched, a specific value can be sent as the pad is released, so they can be used like buttons or switches to control any function on your soft synths and DAWs.

Based on Korg's renowned KAOSS technology, the X-Y pad can be assigned to control any two continuous controllers in real-time. You might set the X Axis to control pitch bend on a synth while the Y Axis controls reverb depth. Or set them to control filter cutoff and resonance, or multiple delay parameters for evocative and expressive performance and mixing possibilities. Two assignable knobs provide continuous control of two other MIDI parameters. You can easily invert the values sent from any of these controllers so you can quickly adjust them to your needs. Even the footswitch input can be set as a momentary or toggle switch for any parameter. Like the X-Y and trigger pads, the pedal also can send a specific release value.

See It

Whenever you strike a pad or move a controller the built-in display shows what message or value is being sent, giving you accurate confirmation of what you're doing. The pads have a striking visual behavior, which will move you to visually groove along with your playing. Pads assigned to notes light up when struck and then shut off. Pads assigned to CC messages stay lit to show their status. Three variations of the Illumination mode cause the trigger pads to light up in unique patterns. Two begin when a trigger pad is struck, and a third starts automatically when the padKONTROL sits idle for a few minutes. The great feel of the trigger pads and the Illumination mode work together synergistically to catapult your performance to a higher intensity level than ever before.

Manage it!

Thankfully, once you have all the controllers set the way you like, you can save the entire set of assignments as a "User Scene." Sixteen User Scenes are available in the padKONTROL itself, and they can be quickly selected using the pads. In addition, thirty preset scenes are included, designed to instantly match the padKONTROL to some of the most popular music software programs.

The padKONTROL also comes with free Editor/Librarian software for Windows XP and Mac OSX. Using the computer's graphic capabilities, the Editor/Librarian software makes it easy to create, store and organize vast libraries of scenes and "scene sets."

zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
"Better Midi controller than the AKAI MPC!"

Feature:
Very responsive pads which are easy on you fingers. The pads are assignable too. You can even save your different arrangements!
Ease of Use:
Just hook it up to a midi device and you're ready to go!
Value:
A little pricy since it is only a midi controller, but it's worth the $.
The Wow Factor:
Tell me you don't want one. The pads light up when you press them.
Overall:
It has plenty of useful features, its more responsive than the AKAI MPC, the pads are big enough so that your fingers don't fall off, and its pretty easy to use.

Thank you. Your vote has been counted. Could you briefly tell us why the review was or was not helpful?

zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
"Best Pad Controller on the Market"

Overall:
I'll be brief. The PadKontrol is simply a pad controller. It doesn't do much else, but it is excellent at what it does and blows the offerings by Akai and M-Audio away. The pads feel great, unlike almost every other brand; Even more responsive and soft feel than Maschine's pads (which I also own for accurate comparison). The X-Y pad and assignable knobs are a great extra. You can setup and change parameters such as pad note assignments with only one or two button presses at all times. Intuitive interface. Bus powered.

Our extended 45-Day 100% Satisfaction Guarantee applies on
this product
Buy it, and if it isn't just right for you, return it!

What Our Customers Are Saying About zZounds "zZounds Professional staff that assist, and answer questions and quick delivery, not to mention and outstanding payment plan." Customer on November 23, 2016

A temporary customer reference number is assigned to each customer only while they are shopping on zZounds.com. If you call our customer service department for assistance, this number makes it easier for us to answer any questions you have about products, services or purchases.

close [x]On OrderThis item has been ordered from the manufacturer. We do not have an expected date for this shipment yet, but will post one as soon as it is available.

A temporary customer reference number is assigned to each customer only while they are shopping on zZounds.com. If you call our customer service department for assistance, this number makes it easier for us to answer any questions you have about products, services or purchases.

1. zZounds offers the industry‘s most musician-friendly payment plans

zZounds offers a variety of Play as You Pay installment plans that allow you to get the gear you want today. While our competitors might offer house credit cards that require you to fill out an application and pass a credit check, our payment plans are easy to get, simple to use, and, best of all, accrue zero interest. Unlike those house credit cards that can leave you vulnerable to exorbitant interest charges once the promotional period ends, we never have and never will charge interest when you take advantage of one of the zZounds Play as You Pay plans.

2. zZounds guarantees the lowest price

Seen it for less somewhere else? Get it for less at zZounds. Simply click the “Seen it for less?” link on any product page and as long as we‘re not losing money, we‘ll beat any legitimate competitor‘s lowest price, usually within two hours. Want our best price even faster? Call us at 800-zZounds (800-996-8637), and we‘ll provide you with a lower price on the phone. Also, if you purchase from us and later find the product for less elsewhere, call or email us within 45 days, and we‘ll refund you the difference.

3. Nobody Beats zZounds‘ Fast & Free Shipping

At zZounds, we know you want your gear fast, and shipped to you free of charge. That‘s why we have absolutely free ground shipping on every single order shipped within the continental United States. This includes heavy and oversized items. No minimum purchase required. No exclusions. We also ship over 90% of our orders with FREE 2-day shipping. We pull it all off with our strategically placed, coast-to-coast warehouses.

4. zZounds makes returns super easy

Buy it, try it, like it, or return it to us for a full refund. It‘s just that simple. If you‘re not in love with what you bought, return it to zZounds within 45 days, and we‘ll promptly arrange for an exchange or a refund. No hassles. No hidden charges. And if a product‘s defective or damaged, call us at 800-zZounds (800-996-8637), and we‘ll email you a prepaid shipping label so you can easily return it to us at zero cost to you.

5. zZounds delivers top-rated customer service

zZounds has received multiple Bizrate® Circle of Excellence Platinum awards, placing us in the top 0.7 percent of Bizrate‘s network of 5,200 retailers. Our success in meeting the needs of our customers -- since 1996, we‘ve satisfied over 1,000,000 people -- is due in large part to the fact that zZounds only hires experienced musicians to answer your calls and emails, and they are never paid a commission.